No abstract

Like other eukaryotes, the nuclear genome of plants consists of DNA with a small proportion of low-copy DNA (genes and regulatory sequences) and very abundant DNA sequence motifs that are repeated thousands up to millions of times in the genomes including transposable elements (TEs) and satellite DNA. Retrotransposons, one class of TEs, are sequences that amplify via an RNA intermediate and reinsert into the genome, are often the major fraction of a genome. Here, we put research on retrotransposons into the larger context of plant repetitive DNA and genome behaviour, showing features of genome evolution in a grass genus, Brachiaria, in relation to other plant species. We show the contrasting amplification of different retroelement fractions across the genome with characteristics for various families and domains. The genus Brachiaria includes both diploid and polyploid species, with similar chromosome types and chromosome basic numbers x = 6, 7, 8 and 9. The polyploids reproduce asexually and are apomictic, but there are also sexual species. Cytogenetic studies and flow cytometry indicate a large variation in DNA content (C-value), chromosome sizes and genome organization. In order to evaluate the role of transposable elements in the genome and karyotype organization of species of Brachiaria, we searched for sequences similar to conserved regions of TEs in RNAseq reads library produced in Brachiaria decumbens. Of the 9649 TE-like contigs, 4454 corresponded to LTR-retrotransposons, and of these, 79.5 % were similar to members of the gypsy superfamily. Sequences of conserved protein domains of gypsy were used to design primers for producing the probes. The probes were used in FISH against chromosomes of accesses of B. decumbens, Brachiaria brizantha, Brachiaria ruziziensis and Brachiaria humidicola. Probes showed hybridization signals predominantly in proximal regions, especially those for retrotransposons of the clades CRM and Athila, while elements of Del and Tat exhibited dispersed signals, in addition to those proximal signals. These results show that the proximal region of Brachiaria chromosomes is a hotspot for retrotransposon insertion, particularly for the gypsy family. The combination of high-throughput sequencing and a chromosome-centric cytogenetic approach allows the abundance, organization and nature of transposable elements to be characterized in unprecedented detail. By their amplification and dispersal, retrotransposons can affect gene expression; they can lead to rapid diversification of chromosomes between species and, hence, are useful for studies of genome evolution and speciation in the Brachiaria genus. Centromeric regions can be identified and mapped, and retrotransposon markers can also assisting breeders in the developing and exploiting interspecific hybrids.

RESUMOA suinocultura é considerada atividade de alto poder poluidor, face ao elevado número de contaminantes nos seus efluentes, maximizado com o modelo de criação intensiva. Com o objetivo de contribuir para a reversão deste quadro, o presente trabalho teve a finalidade de avaliar o desempenho de um sistema de tratamento composto de um biodigestor e lagoas de estabilização (lagoa anaeróbia, uma facultativa e duas lagoas de maturação) ligadas em série alimentadas com lodo proveniente de uma estação de tratamento de dejetos de suínos. O sistema mostrou-se eficiente para estabilização do resíduo, principalmente da carga orgânica; no entanto, apresenta algumas limitações para redução de nutrientes, sobretudo do nitrogênio, pela contribuição de volatilização de amônia. Palavras-chave: suinocultura, efluentes, alternativas de tratamentoEfficiency of biodigester and stabilization pond interaction in removal of swine manure pollutants ABSTRACT Swine production is considered an activity with a high environmental impact, due to the presence of a high number of contaminants in the effluents that come out from the piggery. In this study the feasibility of a combined process biodigestor and stabilization ponds (anaerobic, facultative and maturation) connected in sequence fed with sludge from a swine manure treatment unit was evaluated. The system showed itsetf as efficient in the removal of organic matter, however it presented some limitations in removing nutrients, especially nitrogen, mainly due to the contribution of volatilization of ammonia.

The cultivated and sexually compatible species Pennisetum purpureum (elephant grass, 2n = 4x = 28) and Pennisetum glaucum (pearl millet, 2n = 2x = 14) can undergo hybridization which favors the amplification of their genetic background and the introgression of favorable alleles into breeding programs. The main problem with interspecific hybrids of these species is infertility due to triploidy (2n = 3x = 21). This study describes meiosis in elephant grass x pearl millet hybrids and their progenitors. Panicles were prepared according to the conventional protocol for meiotic studies and Alexander's stain was used for assessing pollen viability. Pearl millet accessions presented regular meiosis with seven bivalents and high pollen viability. For elephant grass, 14 bivalents in diakinesis and metaphase I were observed. The BAG 63 elephant grass accession, derived from tissue culture, presented a high frequency of meiotic abnormalities. The three hybrid accessions presented a high frequency of abnormalities characterized by irregular chromosomal segregation which resulted in the formation of sterile pollen.

Bermudagrass (Cynodon spp.) is a forage and turf crop commonly used worldwide. The USDA bermudagrass germplasm set is composed of plant introductions (PI’s) collected around the world and contains different Cynodon species, primarily C. dactylon. The collection was screened in a replicated trial in Florida for forage yield, leaf width, nutritive value (NV), and Bermudagrass Stem Maggot (Atherigona reversura) (BSM), which is an invasive pest to the southeastern United States that damages bermudagrass fields. The goal of this research was to determine ploidy level and genome size in this USDA collection, and evaluate the influence of ploidy level in the estimation of genetic parameters for BSM, leaf width, dry matter yield, and NV traits. For chromosome counts using classical cytogenetics techniques, root tips and meristems were collected from a set of PI’s with known ploidy. The PI’s and cultivars with known chromosome counts were used as internal standards to run flow cytometry and estimate genome size of the PI’s with unknown ploidy. Ploidy level was determined for all accessions and were used to estimate genetic parameters of phenotypic traits. By providing information on ploidy levels and genetic parameters, this research will support breeding efforts and future selections for forage bermudagrass.

The aim of this study was to identify maize haploid plants and compare the efficiency of identification of maize haploid plants using the R1-nj morphological marker, plant vigor, flow cytometry, chromosome counting, and microsatellite molecular markers under tropical conditions. We also established a protocol for chromosome duplication in maize haploid plants. Fourteen

-Artificial chromosome duplication of diploid genotypes of

A obtenção artificial de genótipos com duplicação cromossômica em forrageiras busca maximizar características de interesse agronômico, como valor nutricional e produção de forragem, resistência a pragas e doenças, tolerância a estresses abióticos e restauração da fertilidade de híbridos estéreis. Outro objetivo da duplicação cromossômica é a geração de variabilidade genética em espécies apomíticas, por meio da duplicação cromossômica de acessos sexuais igualando a ploidia de modo a permitir a realização de cruzamentos e a obtenção de descendentes férteis. A indução de poliploidia é feita utilizando substâncias antimitóticas, sendo a colchicina a mais amplamente usada em plantas forrageiras. Entretanto, devido a sua toxicidade, outras substâncias como herbicidas e cafeína vem sendo empregadas com sucesso em gramíneas. A eficácia na obtenção de poliploides artificialmente depende de uma série de fatores exógenos, tais como as substâncias antimitóticas utilizadas, o tipo de explante, o tempo e as condições de exposição e as concentrações dos antimitóticos. Esta revisão tem por objetivo apresentar os principais métodos usados para indução de poliploidia em gramíneas forrageiras e os avanços obtidos no melhoramento genético, a partir do uso de genótipos poliploidizados.